Letter to the editor writer Maggie Turner urges more people to share their opinions in newsprint.

This is a plea to all of you out there in the real world. I want you all to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

It has been glaringly obvious that the printing of letters has dwindled to a standstill.

This is not acceptable. It is possible that you may be using social media to air your opinions but it is not the same. You get to spew out a few words and the text is very often misinterpreted. Sit down and write.

I know you have opinions, so it’s time that you expressed them publicly. Not everybody uses social media. Some of us prefer to read hard copy while sipping our Earl Grey.

There is so much going on — or not, as the case may be — that needs public scrutiny and debate more than ever. John Gray recently expressed the same sentiment. Be heard, let your voice count. Power in numbers.

Or, just write a letter to say how happy you are with the status quo. It does not have to be all grumble. But do it, rather than have the newspaper simply print repeats of the inane one-liners from its Facebook page.

Now that is just dull and journalism at its laziest.

Retail changed

- John Lawry, Kialla

Until a decision is made on the future of the Maude St Mall, it is essential for councillors and council officers to give serious consideration to changes to the conventional notions of retailing which they seem to assume still exist.

The apparent official assumption seem to be that a change in the configuration of the Maude St Mall will secure increased profitability to property and business owners.

My contention is that nothing is further from reality than this official assumption. Most areas of retailing have shifted from the on-the-ground business arrangements to contemporary technology. It seems that most photographs are now taken by iPhone and iPads.

Shopping habits have changed and most goods, for example books and clothing, can now be purchased conveniently on the internet.

These changes must be taken into account in making any decision about the future of the Maude St Mall. If this is not done, then any changes will be ineffective and a waste of money.